IPOH: The flood mitigation project in Sungai Bernam, Behrang Stesen in Muallim district is ahead of schedule and is now at 97% completion, says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
The Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transportation committee chairman said the RM7mil project is ahead by about 8% or 34 days.
"The project, which began on Jan 28, 2025, was expected to be at 89% completion on Oct 20 this year.
"It is ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed on Jan 11, 2027, without any additional costs," he said in a statement after visiting the project site on Monday (Nov 2)
Mohammad Nizar said the project is expected to protect about 1,000 people from flood risks, including spillover effects from Sungai Bandan.
He said the flood mitigation project is among several efforts by the government to lessen river water spillover that can affect the people in Behrang Stesen.
"Among the components of the project are a 2.5ha retention pond with a depth of 2.5m and 62,500 cubic meter capacity.
"The pond could accommodate more surface run-off water before being released to the riverine system, which can lower the peak flow rate during downpour," he said.
"A 775m-long soil bund will also be a protective barrier to minimise spillover effect," he added.
Mohammad Nizar said the project also involved the conservation of a 250m stretch of Sungai Bandan, a 550m-long irrigation system and a 400m-long U-drain.
"It also involved the construction of a new control gate and upgrades of three existing ones.
"The project is designed to mitigate floods until 20 average recurrence interval (ARI)," he said.
He, however, cautioned that floods could still occur if the amount of rainfall exceeds the design's capacity.
"Maintenance of the river and irrigation system while monitoring the weather are required to lower such risks," he said.
"As a short-term plan, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) will conduct scheduled maintenance works on Sungai Pauh and Sungai Bandan, which costs about RM400,000," he added.
Mohammad Nizar said a mitigation study on Sungai Bernam will be conducted by the JPS, which would also involve Selangor.
"This study is important to identify the cause and flood-risk locations while planning solutions for it in the long run.
"Other aspects in the study include preparing a monitoring system for rain and river water levels, as well as a flood warning siren at strategic locations to alert the people," he said.
He also said the Federal Government has approved a project to construct Sabo infrastructure that costs about RM75mil in Kampar, Batang Padang and Muallim.
"This project is currently in the stage of preparing the terms of reference for the appointment of consultants, who are expected to be engaged in February 2027," he said.
Sabo infrastructure serves to control sediment flow and mitigate the risk of debris flows from upstream areas; the project also includes instruments and an early warning system for flash floods (sudden surges of water).
"The state remains committed to strengthening flood mitigation infrastructure, as well as enhancing the safety, well-being, and protection of the people in Perak," he added.
